My name is Anthony Jude Garcia. I am a 51 yr old gay man.

 

I have 2 sisters and one brother. My parents live here in the Houston area as well. Actually my dad lives in a nursing home and my mother lives about 5 minutes away. We are a very close family and I was fortunate enough to have "unconditional love" from both my parents; my mother is my rock.

 

I have a partner and we have been together for 18 yrs. now. Jason Grigar and I are exact opposites yet we compliment each other very well.  

 

As a young gay man in the 80's,life was hell for me. School was a nightmare and truly effected my development of trust and self confidence. I've struggled with this my entire life and only now do I feel like I understand my demons and know how to work with them instead of trying to ignore them or give into them. This had nothing to do with my home life. My parents did the best they could, I wasn't strong enough to fight at that age and there were very limited resources for teens to get help from.

 

Fast forward, TODAY, I can and will help to make a change for the gay youth of my city, our state, and the country. To be able to know that a young gay male or female can wake up and be able to face each day with a smile and open heart as opposed to fear, abuse, and broken heart and spirit because of projects like "The Trevor Project" then I am all  in as much as possible.

 

I truly appreciate this opportunity to be part of a such a powerful project.